Actuator and Hardware System for a Vehicle Seat

• US 20130320736A1
• Filed: 02/03/2012
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keiper Seating Mechanisms Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Company KG (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Teufel, Ingo, Kmmerer, Joachim, Recktenwald, Ralph
• Granted Patent: US 9,290,116 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/383
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0292 Multiple configuration seats, e.g. for spacious vehicles or mini-buses
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0296 Central command actuator to selectively switch on or engage one of several special purpose circuits or mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/12 slidable and tiltable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2356 with internal pawls
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/236 linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3013 the back-rest being hinged on the vehicle frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3065 in a longitudinal-vertical plane
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/366 characterised by the locking device
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/948 the actuation of the positioning or locking mechanism for one seat part being dependent on the position of another seat part, e.g. the seats floor lock being unlocked when the back-rest is inclined or the backrest can be tilted only when the seat is in its rear position
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/015 Arrangements for indicating the position of a controlling member means for continuously detecting pedal position G05G1/38; means for detecting position through tactile feedback G05G5/03

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator (71) for a vehicle seat, comprising a handle (41) for jointly actuating two locks (23), a force transfer between the handle and each lock, a first indicator (51) associated with the first force transfer, and a second indicator associated with the second force transfer, wherein the two indicators each indicate the respective locking status of the associated lock, and the two indicators actuate an overall indicator (61) by means of a logical OR function in order to visibly indicate the unlocked state. The force transfer is preferably formed from Bowden cables (43).

Claims

1. An actuation unit for a vehicle seat, having a handle for the common actuation of two locking systems, a force transmission between the handle and each locking system, a first indicator which is associated with the first force transmission, a second indicator which is associated with the second force transmission, wherein the two indicators each indicate the locking state of the associated locking system, and the two indicators control a general indicator with a logical OR function in order to display the unlocked state in a visible manner.

2. The actuation unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the actuation element comprises a handle and/or in that the force transmission is formed by Bowden cables between the handle and the locking system at least in a partial region.

3. The actuation unit as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the indicators are rotatable relative to an axis and are connected to cores of the Bowden cables.

4. The actuation unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the two indicators or portions thereof are arranged spatially beside each other and both act on the general indicator.

5. The actuation unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a force can be applied to the indicators from a first direction by the handle and an opposing force can be applied by the force transmission from a second direction different from the first direction.

6. The actuation unit as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the general indicator cooperates with the indicators in a region in which the force transmission acts on the indicators.

7. The actuation unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the indicators carry out a pivot movement and the general indicator carries out a linear movement.

8. The actuation unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the indicators can be pivoted about the same pivot axis as an actuation lever of the handle.

9. The actuation unit as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the handle has a single actuation arm which cooperates with the indicators.

10. A vehicle seat which has a seat member and a backrest and which can be moved into a flat floor position and/or entry position, characterized by an actuation unit as claimed in claim 1.

20. A vehicle seat having a seat member and a backrest which is fitted to the seat member by means of a fitting system as claimed in claim 10, can be pivoted relative thereto and can be locked with different inclination adjustments.

11. A fitting system for a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, having a fitting at a first vehicle seat side and at a second vehicle seat side, which fittings are locked in a locked state independently of each other, and having an operating lever whose actuation moves the two fittings from the locked state into the unlocked state, characterized in that a first indicator is associated with the fitting at the first vehicle seat side and a second indicator is associated with the fitting at the second vehicle seat side, wherein the two indicators each indicate the locking state of the associated fitting, and the two indicators control a general indicator with a logical OR function in order to display the unlocked state of at least one of the two fittings in a visible manner.

12. The fitting system as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the indicators can be rotated relative to an axis (A) and have radially protruding indicator members whose angular position indicates the Socking state of the associated fitting.

13. The fitting system as claimed in either claim 11, characterized in that the two indicators or portions thereof are arranged spatially beside each other and both act on the general indicator in particular by means of a coupling spring.

14. The fitting system as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the two fittings each have a first fitting member (111) and a second fitting member which are locked with each other in the locked state of the fitting, can be unlocked by a carrier being rotated and can be rotated relative to each other about an axis (A) in the unlocked state of the fitting, and in that a transmission rod is arranged parallel with the axis (A) between the two fittings at the two vehicle seat sides.

15. The fitting system as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the first indicator is connected in a rotationally secure manner to the carrier of the fitting at the first vehicle seat side.

16. The fitting system as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the transmission rod is connected In a rotationally secure manner to the carrier the fitting at the second vehicle seat side.

17. The fitting system as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the second indicator is connected in a rotationally secure manner to a transmission bolt of the transmission rod.

18. The fitting system as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that there is provided an adapter which is connected, on the one hand, with a clearance to one of the carriers for entrainment and, on the other hand, with a clearance to a transmission bolt of the transmission rod for entrainment.

19. The fitting system as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the operating lever is connected in a rotationally secure manner to the adapter or is constructed integrally.